Who Took the Mary Out of Christmas?
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The Christmas story like you’ve never heard it before
November 25th, 2025, 6pm - 8:30pm | 227 Bloor St. East, Toronto Canada
In the Garden of Even™, the Christmas story is not about a triumphant king, but about a young girl who births a whole new way of being in the world.
Learn how Mary’ s subversive, anti-imperialist views shaped a revolution.
What if Mary wasn’t meek, but mighty?
Not compliant, but consenting?
Not a symbol of peace, but a revolutionary leader?Through Mary’s story we’ll explore women’s AGENCY, CURIOSITY, CONSENT, and COURAGE to uncover a new way to step into ourselves to transform the world around us.

Speakers
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Kathryn Marshall
Founder, Marshall Law
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Anne Thériault
Author and Journalist
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Kadie Philp
Founder, Garden of Even
Presented by
with
What to expect:
On November 25, join us for an immersive event that unpacks Mary’s story:
6pm Registration
6:30 - 7:30pm Event Programming including:
A reimagined Christmas narrative with a signature Garden of Even keynote that honours the full spectrum of women’s agency, power, curiosity and consent
Fireside chat placing Mary’s story in today’s context exploring the themes outlined in keynote
ART DROP: A first look at the newest Garden of Even™ piece: Mary: Paragon of Curiosity, Consent, and Courage
7:30pm onwards Bespoke Holiday Reception/Celebration in a curated space with the Garden of Even™ Exhibition, premium wine and bites, with special guest Tanya Shapenko
It’s time to ask “Who Took the Mary Out of Christmas?”
2000 years later we’re still talking about the Christmas story, but we’ve forgotten about Mary, the significance of her historical role, and the message she brings: There is always the opportunity for something new to be born.
This holiday celebration brings to light her story, is reckoning with the myth we’ve inherited about women’s courage, consent and a celebration of the Mary we never knew: the one who questioned an oppressive empire, chose her path of resistance, and believed something new could be born through her.